Bathtub mat



J. G. GAVLAK June 1, 1937.

BATHTUB MAT Filed March 12, 1936 l/VVENTa R Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a mat, and important objects thereof are to provide a mat of the character described, which is intended to be placed on the bottom of a bathtub to eliminate the liability and attending hazards from slippage while bathing, which embodies novel means for maintaining same in position, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, attractive in appearance, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of these and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood, that changes in the form, proportion and details of construction may be resorted to that come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bathtub mat constructed in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing I denotes a substantially rectangularly-shaped body portion comprising an integral flexible sheet of rubber. The body portion preferably has rounded corners, and is provided, at each end, with an ear 2. The latter is formed with an aperture 3 whereby the device may be suspended or otherwise secured for the purposes to be described.

The body portion l is provided with a beaded edge 4 for reenforcing the same, and the top thereof preferably has a cross-ribbed edge margin 5. The body portion 'isfurther formed to provide a plurality of suction cups 6, which open at the bottom of the former. Each of the suction cups is surrounded by a closely disposed hollow rib 1 providing an annular groove 8 open at the bottom of the body portion, and thereby forming a suitably limited contacting base IO for said suction cups.

In practice the mat is placed flatly upon the bottom of a bathtub, and when one or more of the suction cups 6 is depressed by being stepped or sat upon, the usual suction cup action is effected to secure the mat against movement from its position on the bottom of the bathtub. When a suction cup is depressed to effect the attachment of the mat, the annular groove 8 of the associated rib 1 will allow the compression of the latter to compensate for the spread of the depressed suction cup without disturbing the flatness of the mat against the bottom of the bathtub.

The entire top area of the body portion I, excepting the edge margin 5, is preferably thickly studded with a multiplicity of flexible rubber spikes 9. The latter are not only provided for preventing liability of slipping upon the mat itself, but may be successfully employed for aiding in the cleansing of the back of the bather. When so used, the mat is secured in a suitable position in the bathtub by suitable attachments connecting with the apertures 3 in the ears 2, and the back of the bather is rubbed against the studded mat to eiiect the cleansing operation. 7

It will here be noted that, while illustrating and describing a mat preferably provided with the flexible spikes 9 and the cross-ribbed edge margin 5 it is obvious that the top surface of the mat may be otherwise roughed or interrupted to provide a surface capable of preventingslippage thereon, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The present invention provides a most eflicient device of its kind, which may be successfully employed for eliminating hazards attending bathing operations, in the manner herein setforth.

What I claim is:

The combination with a flexible mat for a bathtub bottom, of a plurality of suction cups formed integral with the mat and having their openings at the bottom side of the latter, each of said suction cups being closely surrounded by an upwardly projecting compressible hollow rib providing an annular groove at the bottom side of the mat to allow the spread of the depressed suction cup without disturbing the flatness of thebottom side of the mat on the bottom of the bathtub.

JOSEPl-I G. GAVLAK. 

